Baguio city: Over 1,620 classrooms in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have been reported damaged following the devastation wrought by Super Typhoon Uwan. The Department of Education in CAR (DepEd-CAR) has noted significant impacts on educational infrastructure, which has prompted shifts in learning modalities to ensure the continuity of education.
According to Philippines News Agency, Cyrille Gaye Miranda of DepEd-CAR's Public Affairs Unit stated that the typhoon led to 1,170 classrooms suffering minor damage, 328 enduring major damage, and 122 being completely destroyed. The destruction extended beyond classrooms to include 143 washing and sanitation facilities, 292 ancillary facilities, 1,669 chairs, 10,693 learning materials, and 564 pieces of information technology equipment.
Miranda highlighted that 31 schools also faced soil erosion or flooding. Schools that are currently unsafe for face-to-face classes have transitioned to alternative learning modes, such as modular, online, or hybrid systems, similar to those adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic. "We cannot risk the safety of learners and teachers. If facilities are unsafe, we must temporarily shift to other learning modalities so children's education continues," she emphasized.
The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) of DepEd is actively conducting on-site validation and assessment of the damage to school facilities and logistics. Meanwhile, the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) reported PHP10.1 million in damage to its substations, poles, power lines, transformers, and protective devices. Beneco has assured that efforts are underway to restore power across Baguio City and the Province of Benguet.
